Explore "Misconception" by Thomas Hardy on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
I BUSIED myself to find a sure / Snug hermitage / That should preserve my Love secure / From the world's rage; / Where no unseemly saturnals, / Or strident traffic-roars, / Or hum of intervolved cabals / Should echo at her doors.
I laboured that the diurnal spin / Of vanities / Should not contrive to suck her in / By dark degrees, / And cunningly operate to blur / Sweet teachings I had begun; / And then I went full-heart to her / To expound the glad deeds done.
She looked at me, and said thereto / With a pitying smile, / "And _this_ is what has busied you / So long a while? / O poor exhausted one, I see / You have worn you old and thin / For naught! Those moils you fear for me / I find most pleasure in! "